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 With the merits of the Nano car still a hotly debated topic I thought I would go looking for some video that gives everyone a look at the styling and make-up of the little car.

 There is no doubt in my mind that the Nano has a place in India, giving the people there an alternative to the motorcycles and scooters that are so widely used. I am still a bit mystified though by the claims of environmentalists as to the effect that having hordes of these cars running around will have on pollution levels, surely the majority of people that can afford such a car would already be running around on a motorbike or scooter? Only time will tell I guess.

 A lot of people see the car as useful transport for doing short distance trips and obviously this is where they would shine, however safety standards and the costs involved in meeting these may, I think, see this car not so successful if and when exported to other countries.

 Anyhow, that is my opinion and here are the videos: 

 And an almost amusing look at why India needs a car like the Nano:

This month the micro ‘Smart Car’ has gone on sale in the good ‘ol US of A. The Smart  car has been available in Europe, Canada and I believe Japan for some time and apparently sell quite well in these countries and I think it will be interesting to see what the American people make of them.

 With the price of fuel, or should I say ‘gas’ at an all time high these types of cars seem like the logical choice for city commuting, but unlike Tata’s Nano car, the Smart car’s pricing may influence people away from them and towards something that offers a bit more for their dollar. Only time will tell.

 For the U.S. market there are two versions on offer, the Smart ForTwo Pure and the Smart ForTwo Passion. Quirky names for quirky cars! The Pure is the base model, selling for around $11,500 excluding Tax and destination charges and the Passion starts at $13,590 and includes a cabriolet model. 

 Both models come equipped with a 3 cylinder engine producing 71hp and five-speed semi-automatic transmission. The Smart car will get around 40 miles to the gallon and it is recommended that they run on premuim unleaded.

 Although not available for sale in the U.S., there is also a diesel model of the Smart car which reportedly achieved 70 miles to the gallon from it’s 45hp, 3 cylinder, common-rail engine. This engine has been the only engine available to Canadian buyers of the Smart car, who first saw the car late in 2004. 

 I think one of the big issues with ‘micro’ cars is safety and although I will probably forever be a doubter of their ‘crash-worthiness’ at least with the Smart car there is front and lateral airbags, ABS brakes and a electronic stability system. The driver and passenger are also enclosed in a ‘Tridion’ steel safety cell for further protection in the event of a crash.  

 The really quirky feature is the plastic, flexible, scratch resistant body panels that can be easily changed when you get sick of the one colour! It is no wonder that the Smart car has been likened to the Swatch watch of all those years ago. Stock up on a few different coloured panels and as they say, a change is as good as a holiday!  

 Whether or not the Smart car will be a success in the U.S. is anyone’s guess. I believe that with people becoming more acustomed to thinking of the environment and having to tighten the screws on their weekly budget, in the near future cars like this will become more common-place. I can see the biggest market being people that would like a second car that will do the daily commute to work while leaving the gas-guzzler for weekend and long distance trips.

 What do you think? Could you see yourself scooting around in one of these, or does the safety issue with small cars still scare people away? You’re comments would be appreciated.   

 Queensland Police have taken on a TRD Aurion to ply our highways and keep us all in check, and what a car to do it in. Many thanks to the folks at Autoblog.com for the use of the following image.

This is the car that packs a healthy 241kw punch from it’s Supercharged dual VVT-i quad cam 3.5 litre V6 and transfers this power through a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift to the front wheels. Personally I have never been impressed by the handling of high-powered front wheel drive cars, the thrill of a bit of oversteer in a rear wheel drive is highly under rated! The officers driving this car say that the front wheel drive configuration has forced them to change their driving habits to suit and go on to say that they are ‘overjoyed’ with their new toy.

 The TRD Aurion is the worlds first production car to be fitted with the Eaton TVS Supercharger, the TVS standing for Twin Vortices Series. The up-speck Camry will accelerate from 0-100km/hr in 6.1 seconds, has the speed limiter set at 250km/hr and covers the standing 400 metres in 14.2 seconds while returning 10.9L/100km on the combined highway/city cycle.

 As you would expect the TRD Aurion has an upgraded brake, suspension and wheel and tyre package. The front rotors are 325mm ventilated items with twin-piston aluminum calipers doing the squeezing. Out the back there is 310mm ventilated discs with single-piston aluminum calipers. The car also has increased spring rates front and rear over the Sportivo and an average 12mm drop in ride height. Stabilizer bars remain as per the Sportivo with 25mm diameter front and 16mm rear bars. Wheels are 19×8 aluminum alloy shod with 245/35ZR19 Dunlop SP Sports Maxx rubber.

 There are two versions available, the 3500S and the 3500SL. Both cars come with the Supercharged V6 and a host of other TRD goodies, however the SL has higher specifications in the air conditioning/heating area as well as power adjustable front passengers seat, Smart Entry, Push Start, just to mention a few. For a full run-down on the two different models see this post on Autoblog.com. 

 Pricing? Do you really want to know? Around $57,000 for the S and $61,500 for the SL. Now, just to convince the Minister for Finance and War that she needs a $60,000 car to take the kids to school in….